The deepest diving mammals
Until recently, the record belonged to the sperm whale, a little earlier to the elephant seal. In March 2014, a group of researchers from the Cascadia Research Collective, led by Gregory Schorr, discovered that one of the Cuvier’s beaked whales, monitored by them, was diving at a record depth of 2,992 m (9,816 ft). Another Cuvier’s beaked whale broke a record of being underwater, belonging to the Elephant seal – it remained below the surface of the water for 2 hours and 18 minutes.
The Cuvier’s beaked whales are therefore record-holders in terms of diving depth and underwater dwell time.
The deepest diving mammals – TOP 5
- Cuvier’s beaked whale – 2,992 m (9,816 ft)
- Sperm whale – 2,250 m (7,382 ft)
- Southern elephant seal – 2,133 m (6,998 ft)
- Baird’s beaked whale – 1,777 m (5,830 m)
- Blainville’s beaked whale – 1,599 m (5,246 ft)
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